The ‘Safer Stadiums’ initiative, led by Northumbria University, Loughborough University, and the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), offers an outlet for women to speak out and share their thoughts around aspects such as gender-based violence.
While many supporters are at ease in raucous stadiums, having grown up going to games with their parents or friends, for some women matchdays can be a challenging time.
The FSA believes that football should be for all with the Safer Stadiums study exploring ways to make that a reality for women who may have had negative experiences.
Hannah Kumari leads the FSA’s Women’s Voice in the Men’s Game Network and has been a regular matchgoer at Coventry City since the 1990s. She has followed the club since she was 12 years old.
“I’ve experienced sexism and misogyny first hand at football, as have many women, across all levels of the pyramid,” she said.
“Half of women at the match have experienced sexist language and behaviour while that figure jumps up to eight out of ten among ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ women.
“We will not accept the normalisation of sexism and misogyny as part of football culture and would encourage clubs to take strong actions in challenging unacceptable behaviour.”
Hannah says that reporting tools are a key part of this although resources are often focused on punishing perpetrators, leaving victims with limited support.
Throughout the study, Safer Stadiums ran a series of workshops nationwide where women fans talked about their experiences and discussed possible solutions to problems. These were attended by a diverse range of participants.
From those events a range of stories will be shared by releasing a short animation which will premiere at an in-person event at HOME in Manchester on Saturday 28 March 2026.
The film’s core message to fans is that supporter behaviour impacts others attending the match, making fans feel excluded or even unsafe as many women reported different experiences to men.
Dr Mark Doidge, Loughborough University’s lead researcher on the project, said: “This project highlighted the importance of listening to fan voices, and the importance of listening to women fan’s voices.
“It was humbling to be part of and to reflect on the ways that the fan culture that I love does not always create a welcoming space for all. As fans, we can still have fun and support our teams, but we don’t have to do this at the expense of other supporters.”
Dr Aarti Ratna of Northumbria University added: “All of football needs to take ownership to make all fans feel safe and at home in the stadium, and on the way to the match. Creating safe spaces outside the stadium, particularly on the way to public transport, can help women fans to belong and bring their vital support to the match.”
In order to bring together and support women fans of men’s football, the FSA has established a new Women’s Voice in the Men’s Game (WVMG) Network and encourages women supporters who’d like to be involved to get in touch: www.thefsa.org.uk/contact/
The Safe Stadiums screening is open to all fans and takes place at HOME in Manchester on Saturday 28th March 2026. You can register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/safer-stadiums-live-interactive-workshop-and-animation-screening-tickets-1984214084741